Maine Diaries: True calling
Each spring students from
Maine Maritime Academy
set sail on their training ship the State of Maine
for a two-month cruise. One student, Paul Kemp*, has
agreed to share his experience.
June 6-Last night as I lay on the aft deck, the true beauty of a calm night at sea struck me as never before. Not a breath of wind blew last night as the boat rolled and heeled with the long ocean swells, probably from some far off storm we should never see. The sky glowed and for the first time in more than a month I felt a striking realization that this is really what I am supposed to do.
Some come to that realization later in life when a rapid chain of events allows them to see that their job as a banker, a broker or some other money-focused work does not satisfy them. And they return day after day to the same boring job and unhappy marriage. They may try to solve this with a new car, a new vacation home, or some ridiculous hobby—and call it a mid-life crisis.
But others realize early in life what truly makes them happy. Unhindered by fears or the need to make money, they strike out on their own path to experience what they believe will help them live a satisfying life.
With regards to human existence, the length of our lives, 70 years or less is a very short time. And, of course, at any moment a pig flue or something of the sort could strike us, and then what?
Maximize the time you have and do what you feel is right. Live the life you deserve but within the confines of decent people—crack addiction is definitely out of the scope of things to shoot for in this matter. But nonetheless, do what makes you happy, and make sure your happiness doesn’t fall on the expense of others.
Previous posts:
May 5
May 7
May 9
May 10
May 12
May 13
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 21
May 23
May 26
May 28
June 2
June 3
*Paul Kemp is a pseudonym. The student has asked that his name be withheld out of respect for those with whom he is sailing.
June 6-Last night as I lay on the aft deck, the true beauty of a calm night at sea struck me as never before. Not a breath of wind blew last night as the boat rolled and heeled with the long ocean swells, probably from some far off storm we should never see. The sky glowed and for the first time in more than a month I felt a striking realization that this is really what I am supposed to do.
Some come to that realization later in life when a rapid chain of events allows them to see that their job as a banker, a broker or some other money-focused work does not satisfy them. And they return day after day to the same boring job and unhappy marriage. They may try to solve this with a new car, a new vacation home, or some ridiculous hobby—and call it a mid-life crisis.
But others realize early in life what truly makes them happy. Unhindered by fears or the need to make money, they strike out on their own path to experience what they believe will help them live a satisfying life.
With regards to human existence, the length of our lives, 70 years or less is a very short time. And, of course, at any moment a pig flue or something of the sort could strike us, and then what?
Maximize the time you have and do what you feel is right. Live the life you deserve but within the confines of decent people—crack addiction is definitely out of the scope of things to shoot for in this matter. But nonetheless, do what makes you happy, and make sure your happiness doesn’t fall on the expense of others.
Previous posts:
May 5
May 7
May 9
May 10
May 12
May 13
May 17
May 18
May 19
May 21
May 23
May 26
May 28
June 2
June 3
*Paul Kemp is a pseudonym. The student has asked that his name be withheld out of respect for those with whom he is sailing.
|